Can You File a Legal Claim Against Uber After an Accident?
If you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber driver, you may be able to file a legal claim against Uber and pursue legal compensation. However, this will depend on the facts involved since it is important to understand that Uber drivers are independent contractors.
Effectively, this means that your Uber driver is not an employee of Uber, and as such, Uber can deny liability for actions of the independent contractor. In personal injury law, it is generally far more easy to file a legal claim against an employee driver than a driver who is an independent contractor.
Indeed, it is quite rare for a lawsuit to be filed against Uber itself. For example, Uber hiring a driver with a history of DUI or sex offenses could result in legal action against the company itself. Even so, you will not be filing a legal claim against Uber or a similar ridesharing company after a personal injury accident in most ridesharing accidents. This does not mean you are without legal options, however.
Compensation for Uber Passengers When the Uber Driver Is At Fault
If your accident occurred during your trip as an Uber passenger, the most important piece of information to know is that Uber has a $1 million liability policy that covers passenger accidents when the ridesharing driver bears legal responsibility. In addition to this form of compensation, it may still be necessary to sue the independent contractor who was driving at the time of the accident.
As such, your legal claim will be served to the driver and the driver’s insurance company. However, an individual driver cannot typically cover the expenses of significant medical costs for accident victims, which is precisely why ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft provide $ 1 million in liability coverage.
Understand that Uber’s liability and accident policy is primary for passengers of Uber, and as such, a settlement amount based on this policy will typically be far higher than typical accidents involving a personal driver’s insurance policy.
With the help of your ridesharing accident lawyer, it is also wise to send preservation of evidence letters to both Uber and the driver in your accident. This legal letter stipulates that all of the data pertaining to your ride and resulting accident are to be preserved, not deleted. In some states, ridesharing companies can even be sued if a preservation of evidence letter is ignored or violated.
Compensation for Uber Passengers When Another Driver Is At Fault
If a driver other than your Uber driver bears legal responsibility for the accident, then you will generally need to pursue compensation through the responsible driver’s personal insurance policy. Generally, this leads to a lower settlement offer compared to Uber’s $1 million in liability coverage.
If you have serious medical bills that an underinsured motorist cannot pay, know that Uber also has a $1 million underinsured motorist policy that can result in receiving important compensation for the treatment of serious injuries.
Contact The Ledger Law Firm for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or similar ridesharing accident.
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